Black Women’s Roundtable discussion at CBCF Legislative Week
Washington, DC – A diverse group of women leaders and organizations have joined forces with the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) to launch a campaign to express their unequivocal support of United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice and to encourage senate and congressional leaders to treat the esteemed public servant with respect. In addition to signing on to an open letter to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, nearly 100 women from across the country are promoting an online petition in support of Ambassador Rice via personal and organizational networks as well as online social media.

The letter sent to Senate intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee ranking member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) said Ambassador Rice has been a role model to all women. “She has excelled throughout her career both in the public and private sector. Her commitment to international peace and the equality of all people should be heralded, not summarily dismissed for political gain and expedience. Hence, we urge all U. S. Senators to afford Ambassador Rice the proper respect appropriate for any other Cabinet-level member of a sitting Administration.”

The letter continues, “We feel it necessary to remind the Senate of Ambassador Rice’s impeccable credentials because of the failure of some to respect her role as the United States Ambassador and leader in foreign policy. While some members of the Senate have pushed back on their rush to judgment in the press regarding Ambassador Rice’s prepared remarks on the attack in Benghazi, we feel that the public integrity and reputation of this brilliant woman, who serves our country with great dignity, has been unfairly and unnecessarily attacked.”

The Black Women’s Roundtable comprises an intergenerational membership of Black women civic leaders of international, national, regional and state-based organizations and institutions that works collectively to advance policies and strategic initiatives that help to improve the lives of underserved women and girls.

The range of Women who signed on to the letter include: Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO and Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable, NCBCP; Rev. Marcia Dyson, Partner, M & M Dyson, LLC; Ingrid Saunders Jones, Chair, National Council of Negro Women; Susan L. Taylor, CEO and Founder, National CARES Mentoring Movement, Susan Scanlan, Chair, National Council of Women’s Organizations & President, Women’s Research & Education Institute; Vivica A. Fox, President, Foxy Brown Productions; and Dr. Natalia A. Francisco, Founder/Executive Director, Women of Worth & Worship, LLC. For a full list go to: www.ncbcp.org/news/releases/susan_rice_letter_copy/.

A full list of women supporting the letter, a copy of the letter to the Senate, a link to the petition, and a widget to post the petition to websites and social media are located at www.ncbcp.org/news/releases/susan_rice and Petition2Congress.com (http://tinyurl.com/c3oazfb). The twitter hashtag is #SUPPORTAMBASSADORRICE.

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Signers to the letter include:
Melanie L. Campbell
President & CEO and Convener
Black Women’s Roundtable, NCBCP
Rev. Marcia Dyson
Partner, M & M Dyson, LLC
Ingrid Saunders Jones
Chair
National Council of Negro Women
Susan L. Taylor
CEO and Founder
National CARES Mentoring Movement
Editor-in-Chief Emerita, Essence Magazine
Susan Scanlan
Chair, National Council of Women’s Organizations & President, Women’s Research & Education Institute
Faye M. Anderson
Founder
Tracking Change
Angela M. Angel, Esq.
Member
Black Women’s Roundtable
Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq.
Convener, Black Women for Justice
Diane Babineaux
Chief of Staff to the Int’l President
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Works
Arlene Holt Baker
Executive Vice President
AFL-CIO
Monifa Bandele
Campaign Director
MomsRising.org
Cora Masters Barry
Former First Lady Washington DC
CEO/Founder, RWLC
Lisa Fager Bediako
President & CEO Industry Ears
Dr. Lezli Baskerville
President & CEO
NAFEO
Dr. Michelle Battle
Executive Director
MIRA-National Youth Initiative
Salandra Benton
Convener
Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Jillian Blackwell
Founder
My Girlfriends Business
Heather Booth
Democracy Partner
Donna Brazile
Vice Chair, Voter Registration and Participation, DNC
Roslyn Brock
Chairman
NAACP
Clayola Brown
President & CEO
A. Philip Randolph Institute
Jessica Brown
National Black Youth Vote! Coordinator
NCBCP
Latosha Brown
Principal
TruthSpeaks Consulting
Helen Butler
Executive Director
Coalition for the People’s Agenda
Cynthia M. A. Butler McIntyre
National President
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Yvonne V. Cook
Assistant to the Provost
And Vice President for Academic Affairs
Coppin State University
ShaRhonda Dawson
Director
Chicago Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Edrea Davis
Executive Producer
DogonVillage.com
Felicia Davis
Director
UNCF SP Building Green*
LaKimba B. DeSadier
Executive Director
National Black Caucus of State Legislators
Vivica A. Fox
President
Foxy Brown Productions
Sandra Fowler
President & CEO
Brewton Enterprises
Dr. Natalia A. Francisco
Founder/Executive Director
Women of Worth & Worship, LLC
Andrea Gleaves
Chair
WIN (Women’s Information Network)
Patricia Green
Founder & Chief Strategist
IC Linkages, Inc.
Sharon Hanshaw
Executive Director
Coastal Women for Change
Dr. Cynthia Hale
Senior Pastor
Ray of Hope Christian Church
Decatur, GA
Chanelle Hardy
Senior Vice President for Policy
National Urban League
Nancy Harvin
Member
Black Women’s Roundtable
Bonita M. Herring
International Grand Basileus
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
Dr. Patricia Hobson
Chair
Local Host Summit Committee The Black Women’s Roundtable
Tanya Clay House
Chair, Civil Rights Law
National Bar Association
Eleanor Hinton Hoytt
President & CEO
Black Women’s Health Imperative
Janaye Ingram
DC Bureau Chief
National Action Network
Dorothy R. Jackson, Esq.
Board Member, NCBCP
Letetia Daniels Jackson
President/CEO
Tandeka LLC
Dr. Sabrina Jackson
CEO
Sabrina Jackson Enterprises
Dr. Lorretta Johnson
Secretary-Treasurer
American Federation of Teachers
Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever
Executive Director
National Council of Negro Women
Stephanie Jones
President
Stephanie Jones Strategies
Carol Joyner
National Political Director
Labor Project for Working Families
Julian B. Kiganda
President
African Diaspora for Change
Dr. Bernice A. King
CEO
The King Center
Nicole Lee
President
TransAfrica Forum**
Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks
Executive Director/CEO
National Black Justice Coalition
Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery
President, SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc.
Leslie Watson Malachi
Director
African American Ministers in Action
Tamika Mallory
National Executive Director
National Action Network
Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Economist, Scholar & Author
President & CEO, Last Word Productions, Inc.
Barbara Miller
Professor of Anthropology & International Affairs and Director, Institute for Global & International Studies
The Elliott School of International Affairs George Washington University
Dr. Judith C. Moore
Executive Director,
Sisters Saving Ourselves NOW
Pastor, First AME Church-Clairton, PA
Minyon Moore
Former Assistant to the President Bill Clinton and Director of Public Liaison
Karen Mulhauser
President
Mulhauser and Associates
Dr. Claire Nelson
President & CEO
Institute of Caribbean Studies
Sophia A. Nelson, Esq.
Author Black Woman Redefined
Journalist, Speaker
Sima Osdoby
Consulting Democracy, Governance and Civil Society
Terry O’Neill
President
National Organization for Women
Kimberly Otis
Senior Advisor, Center for Partnership Studies, Director, Caring Economy Campaign
Stephanie Parker-Weaver
Founding President and CEO
Rebirth Alliance and Co-Convener, MSCBP
Barbara A. Perkins
President
International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute
Amy Pritchard
Principle Mission Control and
President Democratic GAIN
Rene Redwood
CEO
Redwood Enterprise, LLC
Deidra Reese
State Coordinator
Ohio Unity Coalition
Jena Roscoe
SVP, Government Relations, Public Policy, Operation HOPE
Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
CEO and Co-Founder
MomsRising.org
Deborah Robinson
Convener, MS Black Women’s Roundtable
Co-Convener, MSCBP
Delisa Saunders, Ph.D.
Former Board Member, NCBCP
Rita Jackson Samuels
Founder
Georgia Coalition of Black Women, Inc.
Carlottia Scott
Board Member, NCBCP
Deborah Scott
Executive Director
Georgia Stand Up!
Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D.
Director
Ronald Walters Leadership & Public Policy Center, Howard University**
Kimberly Scott
President
Conklin Scott
Karen J. See
President
Coalition of Labor Union Women
Traci Siegel
Senior Vice President
GMMB
Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich
President & CEO
Center for Community & Economic Justice
Makeda Smith
President
Jazzmyne PR
Carolyn House Stewart, Esq.
International President
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc
Pierrette Talley
Convener
Ohio Unity Coalition
Makani Themba
Executive Director
The Praxis Project
Sheila Tyson
Convener
Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Tonya Tyson
Member
Black Women’s Roundtable
A. Shuanise Washington
Founder and Principal
Washington Solutions, LLC
Management & Political Consulting Firm
Robin Williams
Associate Director
Civil Rights & Community Action
UFCW
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner
President
Skinner Leadership Institute
Dr. E. Faye Williams
National Chair
National Congress of Black Women
Thomasina Williams, Esq.
Research Affiliate
MIT Community Innovators Lab
Vanessa Williams
Executive Director
National Conference of Black Mayors
Sharon Zimmerman
Interim Executive Director
Women’s Action for New Directions

[UPDATED SIGN ON as of 11.28.12.2]
**organization referenced for identification purposes only.

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Vivica A. Fox National Get Out the Vote PSA for Unity ’12 Campaign

State specific PSA’s:

Philadelphia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJImKCn3xA
Florida: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl1Yd4HqdnU
Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_bxzRPuXo
Michigan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg3O67Px-3A
Ohio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyoU4lhOdqs
Virginia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vD7QUt0Dk
Louisiana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewrAtOPMPAg

7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO
PREPARE THE FAMILY TO VOTE IN 2012!

1. VERIFY your Registration Status & Your Poll Location BEFORE Election Day by calling your Board of Elections, 1-866-MYVOTE1 or visit www.unityvoterempowermentcampaign.org.

2. Be sure to TAKE PROPER ID TO VOTE. Check ID requirements for your state in advance at www.costoffreedom.info.

3. VOTE EARLY or Absentee Ballot if you know you will be out of town on Election Day.

4. DON’T BE AFRAID TO REQUEST HELP from poll workers they are there to help YOU.

5. YOU HAVE A RIGHT to file a complaint if your rights have been violated. For legal assistance call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

6. STAND YOUR GROUND – if there is a problem at the polls you have a right to cast a provisional ballot if you are certain you are a registered voter.

7. VOLUNTEER to be a poll worker or monitor in your community at www.ncbcp.org.

About The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Unity ’12 Campaign
The NCBCP Unity ’12 Campaign, in partnership with A. Philip Randolph Institute and 40 other national and state-based organizations and affiliates, is leading its non-partisan voter empowerment efforts in fourteen states through its Black Youth VoteiThink 2012, Black Women’s Roundtable Power of the Sister Vote and Foot Soldiers for Democracy initiatives.

The Unity Campaign will have coordinators on the ground on Election Day and will also host a command center in Washington DC offering updates on ground operations. States include: AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, OH, PA, VA, WI.

For more information on the Unity ’12 Campaign visit www.unityvoterempowermentcampaign.org or www.ncbcp.org. To interview state coordinators email: edmedia@dogonvillage.com.

Washington, DC – Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (The National Coalition), today announced the recipients of the prestigious 2012 Spirit of Democracy Awards which will be presented during the 15th annual Spirit of Democracy Awards Gala hosted by actress and producer, Vivica A. Fox (Set It Off, Kill Bill, Soul Food), onThursday May 17, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. For ticket information call (202) 659-4929 or email events@ncbcp.org.

Honorees are Michael Baisden, nationally syndicated radio personality, author, philanthropist, and social activist instrumental in exposing the Trayvon Martin case; Al Dotson, chairman of the board, 100 Black Men of America; Shawn Dove, campaign manager, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Open Society Foundations; Gerald Hudson, executive vice president, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and David Honig, founder and president, Minority Media and Telecommunications Council.

“This year we are proud to be ‘Celebrating Our Brothers.’ The leadership of these men in their respective fields helps to empower underserved communities across the country” said Campbell. “These strong, positive men also set an example of excellence in achievement for young brothers across the country.”

There will also be a special tribute to the late Ruby Campbell Pulliam who was a servant leader in civil rights and women’s rights.

The Spirit of Democracy Awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to creating balance in the democratic process and support The Nation Coalition’s mission and vision of making civic participation a cultural responsibility and tradition. Sponsors include AT&T and Verizon, among others. The event is open to the public. Individual ticket prices are $175. For tickets or more information call 202 659-4929 or visit www.ncbcp.org to purchase online.

Los Angeles, CA – When hair stylist to the stars, Dr. Boogie launched his blog, “Chair Chat with Dr. Boogie” at www.DrBoogieSecrets.blogspot.com he promised to give his famous clients a voice to address the rumors, gossip and chatter circulating the web. With a client list that is the definitive who’s who when it comes to urban female superstars, including Kimora Lee Simmons, Vivica A. Fox, Taraji P. Henson, Lisa Raye McCoy, Raven Symone, Keyshia Cole, Kim Kardashian, Kym Whitley and Tichina Arnold, the announcement of “Chair Chat” sent waves throughout the hip hop community and beyond.

When actress, Vivica Fox, (http://www.VivicaFox.com) star and host of new hit show “TheCougar” on TV Land Prime sat down with Dr. Boogie, as promised the hair stylist turned reality star (Bravo’s “Shear Genius”) didn’t hold back. Dr. Boogie asked his “Famous Five” questions to break the ice and then got down and dirty about all the plastic surgery rumors surrounding the beautiful star. In addition, Dr. Boogie did a follow up blog with cosmetic physician, Dr. Susan Evans ( http://www.cosmeticphysiciansofbeverlyhills.com/ ) from television’s “Dr. 90210.”

Dr. Boogie
“I always ask what I think my readers would want to ask if they were given the opportunity,” relates Dr. Boogie. “The other bloggers can speculate, but when it comes to “Chair Chat” we give it to you straight from the source. With regard to Vivica, not only do I love her dearly, but she is among the most beautiful of women in Hollywood. I sat with her without makeup and she is no less than stunning. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to clear up some of the terrible rumors circulating the internet.”

DrBoogieSecrets.blogspot.com has featured “Chair Chats” with Tichina Arnold, Melyssa Ford, reality star Goldie, Claudia Jordan and B. Scott. He has also blogged about his behind the scene escapades while taping BET’s “Hair and Make Up” special which he co-hosted. Christina Milian is scheduled to visit “Chair Chat” soon and the blog has plans to expand into live video tapings as well.

Step into Dr. Boogie’s online salon at http://www.BoogieSecrets.com and get your dose of Chair Chat at http://www.DrBoogieSecrets.blogspot.com. You can also visit with the doctor at http://www.MySpace.com/BoogiesHair .